The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-04-06
ODD ADVERTISEMENTS
Taken from English Papers Over a
Century Ago.
A Warning to Incorrigible Children-Good-
Natured and "Sweet-DispositiOn
Gentlemen-After a Fortune
Misrepresented Ladies.

Gentlemen-Aftera Fortune
Misrepresented Ladies.
The following curious adve rtisement
appeared in the Edinburgh Courant of
October 90, 1858: 1--WE, Robert
MNair and Jean Holmes, having taken
into consideration the way and man.
ner our daughter Jean acted in her
marriage, that she took none of our adj
vice, nor advised us before she married,
for which reason we discarded her from
our family for more than twelve
months; and being afraid that some or
other of our family may also presume
to marry without duly advising us
thereof; we, taking the affair into seri-
Gus consideration, hereby discharge all
and every one of our children from Of
fering to marry without our special adj
vice and consent first had and obtained;
and if any of our children should pro-
pose or presume to offer marriage to
any without our advice and consent,
they in that case shall be banished
from our family twelve months; and if
they go so far as to marry without our
advice and consent, in that case they
are to be banished from our family
seven years. But whoever advises us
of their intention to marry and OBJ
tains our consent shall not only
remain children of the family, but also
shall have due proportion of our goods,
gear, and estate as we shall think con-
venient and as the bargain requires
And further, if any one of our children
shall marry clandestinely, they by so
doing shall lose all claim or title to our
effects, goods, gear or estates; and we
intimate this to all concerned, that
none may pretend ignorance.
A young gentleman "offers his SER
vice" to the ladies in an advertisement
which appeared in the Daily Advertiser
Q75S): Ladies! A young gentleman
aged twenty-five, easy in fortune,
happy in temper, of tolerable parts,
not specifically polite, but genteel adj
dress, some knowledge of the world,
and little acquainted with the Fair,
presumes to offer his service to one not
exceeding ten years older than
himself, of good-nature and affa-
able disposition. absolute mistress of
at least one thousand pounds. Will
find the utmost sincerity from one who
would make it the ultimate end of his
ambition to render the matrimonial
state truly happy. Any lady who has
spirit enough to break through the idle
customs of the age and not give
trouble out of mere curiosity, inclined
to answer this, may leave line for x.
O. at Gregg's Coffee-house, in York
street, Covent Garden, shall receive
immediate answer, and be waited upon
in person at any time and place she
shall appoint. The most inviolable
secrecy and honor will be punctually
observed"
The following fattering description
of himself is given, by a gentleman of
sweet disposition" to lady in the
Public advertiser of April II, 1859:
'Whereas l had long despaired of
meeting with temptation to enter
into the holy state of matrlmony,
till, taking up the paper of Friday
last, l read the agreeable advertise
ment of lady. whose sentiments jump
so entirely with mine, am convinced
we are cut out for each other, and
therefore take this method of describ-
ing myself / am gentleman of an
unexceptionable good family; losses
and crosses have reduced my fortune to
my wardrobe, diamond ring, a gold
watch, and an amber-headed cane; but
as you have generously said you don't
even wish fortune, / imagine this will
be no hindrance. My person is far
from disagreeable, my skin smooth and
shining, my forehead high and pol
ished, my eyes sharp though small,
my nose long and aquiline, my mouth
wide, and what teeth I have perfectly
sound. All this, with the addition of a
good heart and sweet disposition, and
not one unruly particle, compose the
man who will be willing upon the
slightest intimation to pay his devoirs
to the lady. If she will direct her let
ter for S. w., to be left at St. James
Coffee-house, the gentleman will wait
on her wherever she pleases to appoint
him."
The following advertisement is taken
from the Daily Advertiser Q758: "a
Single Gentleman, in a very good way
of business, and who can make two
hundred per cent. advantage out of it,
and who is free from debts, about
twenty-six years of age, and is what
the tlatterer calls genteel, and rather
handsome, of a cheerful DISPOSE ton,
and of very affable temper, not
at all given to drinking, gaming, or
any other vice that a Lady can
Z take umbrage at; one that would
rather get fortune than spend one,